Catawba Ridge girls’ soccer head coach Joe Dority credited his team’s heart and effort Tuesday night, just minutes after his team earned a hard-fought 2-2 (5-4 PKs) shootout victory over crosstown rival Fort Mill at The Pit.
The Copperheads took an early 2-0 lead, thanks to goals by Brooks Dority (12th minute) and Phoebe Serkin (61st minute). But Fort Mill fought back in the final half hour, with junior Gabby Giarrizzi unleashing two long-range rockets in the 62nd and 80th minute to tie the game at 2-2 at the end of regulation.
Following two fruitless overtime periods, the Lady Copperheads buried all five of their penalty kicks, and freshman goalkeeper Emma Carricato pulled off the lone save in the shootout to spark a Copperheads celebration.
“They came back with the guts we needed, the fight,” Dority said. “They’ve got the dog in them. They don’t want to lose, they just keep fighting for each other. To have the composure and go 5-for-5, and then (Carricato) coming up huge on the last one, I’m very proud of the girls.”
Catawba Ridge, improved to 6-1 overall and 1-0 in Region 3-5A, has returned seven starters from last year’s team, which reached the Class 4A quarterfinals last spring. Fort Mill falls to 1-4 on the season.
Both teams engaged in positive, free-flowing play from the beginning. Fort Mill’s Mila Martinez struck a free kick from 30 yards out that tested Catawba Ridge goalkeeper Lainey Kilpatrick in the 10th minute.
Catawba Ridge took a slim lead just two minutes later when sophomore midfielder Brooks Dority finished off a rebound. Senior defender McKenna Randall lifted a looping free kick into the Fort Mill penalty area from midfield – the Yellow Jackets couldn’t clear their lines, and Dority pounced on the opportunity from six yards out.
The Copperheads nearly doubled their lead when sophomore striker Lauren Jackson burst into open space on the left wing, but her right-footed shot couldn’t beat Fort Mill goalkeeper Zury Parker from distance.
Fort Mill’s Elenora Manucy hit the post early in the second half with her left-footed effort from distance.
But Catawba Ridge doubled the lead in the 61st when senior midfielder Phoebe Serkin was bundled over in the Fort Mill penalty box. The Fort Mill goalkeeper saved Serkin’s initial penalty, but Serkin chased down the rebound and finished into the roof of the net.
Fort Mill immediately bounced back in the next minute, with Giarrizzi lofting a high shot from midfield into the net from 40 yards over Carricato.
And it looked like Catawba Ridge would ride out the win in regulation until Giarrizzi hit another long shot, this time from the far sideline with just seconds to spare before the final whistle, to beat the goalkeeper at her far post and complete a spirited Yellow Jackets comeback to force overtime.
Neither team carved out many chances in overtime, leading to a shootout to decide the winner.
Catawba Ridge scored each of its five penalties. On Fort Mill’s fifth and final penalty, Carricato dived down to her left to push away the shot, sparking a wave of cheers from Catawba Ridge fans.
Fort Mill girls’ soccer coach Ralph Latchana said he was proud of his team for fighting for every ball and tackle throughout the game.
“I’m proud, not disappointed,” he said. “I’m obviously gutted for them, because they put so much into it. But we’re just getting started.”
“They never gave up, never stopped fighting for each other,” said Dority. “I give the girls a lot of credit.”
Latchana said his team has “endless possibilities.”
“Small edges may win games,” he said. “We’re setting the girls up for long-term success that will enhance those small margins. The girls are very hungry, very coachable, and they’ll only get better.”
Both teams continue their region schedule this week. Catawba Ridge next plays at Northwestern on Thursday, March 13, while Fort Mill hosts Clover on Friday, March 14.
March 11 Roundup
The Catawba Ridge boys’ tennis team opened its season with a 6-0 win over Northwestern.
The Catawba Ridge girls’ lacrosse team improve to 5-0 with a 15-5 win over Eastside on the road.
The Nation Ford softball team beat Northwestern 7-1 to open their Region 3-5A schedule. The win put them at 5-0 on the season and 1-0 in the region.
The Nation Ford baseball team beat Northwestern 6-5 in eight innings to improve to 3-2 on the season and open Region 3-5A play 1-0.
The Nation Ford girls’ lacrosse team fell on the road to Charlotte Catholic 16-3 to drop to 0-4 on the season.
The Nation Ford girls’ soccer team beat Northwestern 9-0 at home to improve to 6-2-1 overall and 1-0 in Region 3-5A play.
The Nation Ford golf team finished eighth in the Low Country Invitational with a 229 on day two of the tournament. Carter Smith led the Falcons with a 75 and Justin Wosje shot a 76. Harrison LaPointe finished with a 78 and Tyler Kemmerlin finished with an 88.
